Peoples' National Security Adviser

Monday, August 18, 2014

A new
scam is on the rise which targets restaurant owners and their customers,
according to the latest data from Financial Fraud Action UK, a payments
industry body.

But this
scam is just one of many reported each year. We asked the fraud body about
other scams on the rise.

Some
have been around for a few years with criminals finding these are the most
effective - and are therefore increasingly using them. These are the top five
with advice on how to protect yourself against being duped on each.

1. "Vishing"

Vishing
is a type of fraud which takes place over the phone. Fraudsters call up
consumers, and attempt to lure them into giving their bank security details
over the phone, including their PIN. The scam typically involves a fraudster suggesting they are from your bank, and
that there is a problem on your account. They may also ask you to call your
bank to confirm, where in fact they stay on the line and continue their
deception. There are variations on this scam where fraudsters deceive the
victim into transferring money from their account to one which is accessible to
the fraudster.

Prevention advice:

• Be wary of unsolicited approaches by phone and
cold callers who suggest you hang up the phone and call them back. Fraudsters
can keep your phone line open by not putting down the receiver at their end.

• Never disclose your four digit card PIN to
anyone, including the bank or police, any full password or online banking
codes, or personal details unless you are sure who you are talking to.

2. Deception thefts

Losses
due to fraud on lost or stolen cards increased by 7pc to £58.9m from £55.2m in
2012, with distraction thefts in shops and bars and shoulder surfing at ATMs
highlighted. Shoulder surfing involves a fraudster looking over someone’s
shoulder as they enter their PIN at an ATM, and then distract them when the
card is ejected, stealing the card in the process. Once they have your card and
PIN the fraudster uses them to spend your money.

Prevention advice:

• Always shield the keypad with
your free hand and your body to avoid anyone seeing you enter your PIN. This
will protect your PIN from anyone who might be looking over your shoulder, and
also help to keep your PIN safe if a fraudster has set up a hidden camera
filming the keypad.

• Be alert and put your personal
safety first. If someone is crowding or watching you, cancel the transaction
and go to another machine. Do not accept help from seemingly well-meaning
strangers and never allow yourself to be distracted.

• If you spot anything unusual
about the cash machine, or there are signs of tampering, do not use it. Report
it to the bank concerned immediately.

• Once you have completed a
transaction put your money and card away before leaving the cash machine.
Destroy or preferably shred your cash machine receipts, mini-statements or
balance enquiries when you dispose of them.

3. Malware

Malware
is malicious software which is unknowingly downloaded on to a computer and
which then enables fraudsters to steal personal or financial information or
perform unauthorised actions on the device. It is believed criminals are using
these stolen details to commit fraud by targeting those online retailers which
have not yet adopted security measures put in place by more established firms.

• Only shop on secure websites.
Before entering card details ensure that the locked padlock or unbroken key
symbol is showing in your browser.

• Always be suspicious of
unsolicited emails that are supposedly from a reputable organisation, such as
your bank or the tax office and do not click on any links in the email.

4. Courier fraud

A
fraudster rings you, claiming to be from your bank, saying their systems have
spotted a fraudulent payment on your card or that your card is due to expire
and needs replacing. You may be asked to ring back using the phone number on
the back of your card which further convinces you the call is genuine. However,
the criminal keeps the line open at their end so, when you make the call, you
are unknowingly connected straight back to the fraudster.

Then, by
seeming to offer assistance, the fraudster tries to gain your trust. In most
cases you are asked to "cancel" your existing card or
"activate" or "authorise" a replacement card by keying your
PIN into your phone’s handset. The fraudster then poses as a bank
representative to pick up your card from your home, sometimes giving you a
replacement card, which is a fake. In some cases a genuine courier company is
hired to pick up the card, which the victim has been asked to place into an
envelope.

Once
they have your card and PIN the fraudster uses them to spend your money.

Prevention advice:

• Never hand over your card: Your
bank or the police will never ring you to tell you they are coming to your home
to pick up your card. Never hand it over to anyone who comes to collect it.

• Never share your PIN: Your bank
will never ask you to authorise anything by entering your PIN into the
telephone. Never share your PIN with anyone.

• Always speak to the bank
securely: Before calling your bank, make sure you can hear the dial tone. Only
ever call your bank on an advertised number.

5. Money mules

Criminals
dupe ordinary people into thinking they are an employer. They may offer jobs,
involving receiving money into your bank account and transferring it to another
account, and keeping some for yourself. This is money laundering, a criminal
activity which can lead to a prison sentence of up to ten years. The jobs may
be called "money transfer agents".

Prevention advice:

• Be very cautious of unsolicited
emails promising opportunities to make easy money.

• Verify any company that makes
you a job offer and check their contact details (address, landline phone
number, email address and website) are correct and whether they are registered
in the UK.

• Be especially wary of job
offers from people or companies overseas as it will be harder for you to find
out if they really are legitimate.

Skimming is taking route
in Kenya.It involves the copyin of ones Credit Card or ATM card when they swipe
them during shopping. What the swiper does is to swipe it and then place it
somewhere else – where the skimmer is(a device the size of a mobile phone)
these device copies all your details and once you are gone the crooks make a
duplicate of your card.

Prevention advice

Once your card is
swiped let be returned to you immediately

Do not entertain
cashiers talking to you maybe about your country as they keep your card –
chances are they are copying.

Never allow your
card to leave your line of sight when a transaction is being done.

Make a mental
note of transactions and keep all receipts for future reference

Nowadays we need to keenly follow the news both in TV and Radio so we know exactly what is happening and where it is happening as the country becomes a haven for demos.

Because unless the issues that the public is concerned with are addressed any public gathering in the country has very high likelihood of degenerating in to a street demo and riots. The best you can do is to keep off.

Be aware of anniversaries/dates and avoid public demonstrations

If caught in the demo move to edge of crowd and disengage. If possible seek refuge in a church or other appropriate building .If there is tear gas in the street use a wet a cloth and hold it over your mouth and nose.Don’t rub your eyes as you will only rub the tear gas into them. Use water to wash.

Obey all instructions given to you by the Security Forces.

Think of crowd movement like currents in the ocean. In a large riot, the crowd in the middle will be moving faster than the people on the perimeters. As such, if you find yourself in the middle, you should not try to move in a different direction, but follow the flow and slowly make your way to the outside. This requires patience in order to work properly.

IF YOU ARE IN A VEHICLE

Inform the radio room of your situation if you are from a company or organisation that uses Radios. If you can turn off down another street away from the direction of trouble do so. Remove your seat belt (you may need to abandoned the vehicle in a hurry) If safe to do so stop the vehicle and let the crowd pass by. Ensure all maps, cameras and other equipment are hidden from view – or the rioters may think you are police! Don’t panic. Don’t continue driving into the riot if possible. Be prepared to abandon your vehicle in an emergency. Only ever force your way through as an absolute last resort! If you fail the probability is you will be dragged out of the car and beaten sometimes to death by the rioters. Slow the vehicle speed right down.

Put on your hazard warning lights. At night time dip your head lights and turn on the interior vehicle light. Driving towards Police lines can be interpreted by the Police as a preparation to use the car as a weapon against them. Police are trained and prepared to protect themselves against deadly threats meaning that you may be shot at if they think you are going to run them down with a car.

IF YOU ARE AT HOME

Stay indoors, close all window shutters or curtains Keep away from windows that face thestreet .Avoid the temptation to ‘look out’ of thewindow to see what is happening. If at night turn all lights off. Keep movement to a minimum, talk inwhispers only . Switch your mobile phone ring tone off!Majority of people during the Jamhuri day celebrations were arrested for wearing T-shirts with messages avoid free T– shirts that have messages they can land you in jail.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Due to hard economic times or due to globalization what we thought was a western disease has firmly taken root in our country - Kidnapping. Itwas the stuff of movies but of late it has become a stark reality, a threat that stalks us like the sword of Damocles.That you can wake up one day and find your sweet angelic child missing, or grabbed from you, or grabbed as they play and you at work can bring such trauma that can remain with you for rest of your life. Even if it ends well a kidnapping will always leave a mark on the victim and the families. If it ends badly then it forever willbe devastating.

The most nightmarish thing that can happen to a parent is to come home and find your lovely children missing,or send one to the shops and he/she does not return - then the worst happens you get call from goons demanding money or they will kill your innocent lovely child - suddenly the world stops and you cannot think straight.
Below is way that can greatly reduce the chances of having your children or spouse or friend kidnapped.

In order to keep children safe, you should practice basic stranger-safety procedures with your children and encourage other parents to follow your guidelines:

1. Tell your children to always walk or play in groups. Predators search for isolated targets such as children who are walking alone or playing alone. Share this important lesson with other parents. If you see a friend or neighbor's young child walking alone, make sure to include that particular neighbor in your stranger-danger strategy. For instance, you could suggest a buddy or carpool plan to get neighboring children to and from school.

2. You should always know where your kids are going, even if they leave the house with another trusted adult. If your children spend time at their friends' homes, you should discuss a mutual child-watch plan with other parents. If your children are young, explain to these parents that you do not allow your children to play outside unsupervised. Promise to keep a similar close watch on their children when they play at your house. If your children walk or ride their bikes to other nearby houses, designate safe places for your child to run if threatened by a stranger.

3. Keep a list of phone numbers ofother nearby parents and offer your numbers to these parents. You can quickly check on the location of your children if needed.

4.Teach your kids about strangers. Tell them that a stranger is any adult they do not know. Introduce your children to other parents you trust. Meet the children of these parents, so you will become a familiar face to the kids. Ideally, these children will be able to pick out a few friendly adults in a crowd of strangers. In addition to other parents, your kids should know which strangers are safe.

4.Store clerks, police officers, teachers, people who are behind desks in office buildings, mail-carriers and mothers with children are generally safe strangers.Explain to your children that they can trust these strangers if they ever need help and they cannot locate an adult they recognize.Teach your children that stores, schools, libraries and restaurants are all safe public places where they can run if they are in jeopardy.

6. Practice a secret code word with your children. Choose a word that would not be easy for a stranger to guess. Use this code word when another adult is required to transport your child. Tell your kids they should never get into a car with someone who does not know the code word. Share the code word with your children and other adults you trust. Change the word as often as needed. Instruct other parents to develop their own family code words.

7. Teach your kids about the common lures used by abductors. Often, a kidnapper appeals to victims by asking the child to help find a lost animal. Sometimes, the stranger will ask a child for directions. Occasionally, abductors know the child's name or the names of the child's parents. Perpetrators attempt to use this knowledge to gain the child's trust.. You should tell your children that adults ask other adults for help when they are truly searching for lost pets, or when they need any other type of assistance.Also, repeat to your children the importance of the family code word. If a stranger knows the child's name, but does not mention the code word, that stranger is probably a threat.

8.Many children and even adults do not know how to scream practice screaming with your children. If a stranger attempts to talk to or grab your children, your children should know to shout, "No!" or "Fire!" Try to recruit the help of other parents. The group of your children can rehearse screaming at strangers by role-playing.

As a security adviser in an international organisation i have come across very pathetic cases where Kenyans have been conned out of their hard earned cash,have been subjected to humiliating actions,have lost their lives because of avoidable circumstances etc.If we are to achieve Vision 2030 all Kenyans then must be able to take care of themselves and their assets and must be able to take precautions in day today activities so that they minimise the chances of falling victims to crooks and conmen.

The bottom line has been that many of us lack some basic knowledge on Security and Safety to be able to protect yourself,your children and your assets.
These blog will try to educate Kenyans as much as practicallly possible so that in the very end we are all safe and we live in harmony

We will handle issues as they evolve,threats that are current and how to avoid them,personal security,general security,home security,security for you children in school,security for upcountry homes and all other issues of safety and security that touch on Kenyans wellbeing.